Mar 20 All Things In Moderation...Including Feminism.

Disclaimer: This post will be a little political, which is outside of my wheelhouse, but nonetheless relevant to what I am writing and feeling right now. Please bare with me and enjoy. PS: Sorry for the lack of photos...I just wanted to keep it simple today.

Feminism: the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men. It is a word that is thrown around quite often by celebrities and college students alike. Some have even said that feminism is dead, but like fashion, it has just changed its appearance and not everyone likes it. There are waves involved in feminism just like every piece of history that goes on in this world. When people look at me they just assume I am the normal type of millennial with crazy hair, tattoos, and an inferiority complex. Oh, how everyone is wrong. I am a pro-second amendment, pro-choice, and a list of different opinions that do not match a certain side of the political spectrum.

This month has been eye-opening, to say the least, in one way more than one. I have been read articles about the women’s march in January and on International women’s day. Seen articles ranking how feminist Disney characters are. Read a deeply personal poem at the International Women’s Day Poetry Slam for my university, which in turn got me a lot of snaps and tears (stay tuned later for the actual poem). I have tried to raise money and awareness for female veteran homelessness. All this is happening while I question how much of a feminist and a woman I am because I chose not to skip school the day women walked away from their jobs, I am not married and with children at my age, and how I am going to be the voice and face of the veterans organization once my president steps down in a week or so. Of course, these things could all be racing around in my mind because of my severe anxiety and neurosis.

My idea of a true feminist is a woman who feels free enough to do whatever she wants.

— Lana Del Rey

Feminism should be defined by the individual woman and not her peer, she shouldn’t have to worry if she woman enough or feminist enough all because the outside world sees her a certain way. I love my country, but that does not mean I agree what is happening to it and in it on both sides of the aisle. I agree with some of the statements and videos I have seen by women who see the current political climate a little jarring and scary, but that does not mean I will follow blindly. Women like me are seen as indecisive and just waiting for another shoe to drop in order to pick the winning side. What if the winning side is not to pick a side at all? I choose to identify as a moderate for this reason. As George Washington said in his farewell address he urged against the excess of political parties and distinctions of peoples based on their geographical locations. If only George Washington was here today to see the current United States, but that sort of “what-if” scenario is not relevant to understanding our history and our present. What we should take away from his “warning” is that we should stand united not matter our ethnic background, religion, where we call home, etc. in order to form a more united front against people who want to do us harm.

We as an American people and human race must understand differences are going to be prevalent, but it is to have empathy, not sympathy that will reunite us. The old hats (I mean that with no disrespect) of the Feminist movement of the 50s, 60s, and 70s and the Neo-Feminism should unite under one umbrella in order to form a cohesive and new definition of what feminism is and should be. This new order should not only be about women, it should be about how men and women can work together to better the present and future especially when it comes to future generations. As a woman, I should not be afraid to voice my opinion, wear a certain item, or have sexual and emotional relationships with men, all because I do not fit into someone’s idea of feminism. My idea of being a woman and being a feminist should be my own. I do not plan on pushing that idea onto anyone else, just merely expressing it in order to spread the word of who I am and what I stand for.

So, my lovely readers, what do you stand for? How do you define feminism? I would love to hear your opinion.